Rangers: -
Astros: -1.5
Angels: -4
Twins: -4
FanGraphs gives the Astros a 32.6% chance of winning the division and a 79.4% chance of making the postseason.
*Dallas Morning News' Kevin Sherrington:
Now that the Rangers don't have the Astros to kick around anymore - at least not until next week - it's time they lived up to their first-place billing in the West.
*Colby Rasmus hit his 20th and 21st home runs in Sunday's win, giving him 20+ HR for the third time in the last four seasons. It was the 6th multi-HR game of his career.
It's always good to answer back when they score or be able to push your foot on their throat when you can.
*George Springer hit his first homer since coming back from the DL.
*The Astros have a two-game winning streak for the first time since August 25-26.
*Collin McHugh threw 8IP, 4H/1ER, 8K:2BB yesterday, his longest outing since June 28, and a much-needed outing after allowing 14H/10ER, 9K:5BB in 9IP against the A's and Rangers in his previous two outings. It was the 9th time in McHugh's 30 starts this season where he has allowed 0-1 earned runs. He has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 15 of his 30 starts.
The next six games are against the Angels and Rangers, so who's down for a heart attack this week?
*ESPN's Christina Kahrl breaks down whether the Angels have a chance against the Astros, which is a little too much fate-tempting, if you ask me.
Considering the decent advantages the Astros have as far as the pitching matchups, a romp here might not just put the Angels away to stay, it might answer questions over whether Houston is resilient enough to win the West after all.
*Jeff Passan breaks down the insanity that could lie ahead in the AL Playoff picture.
*Bunch of reports are out saying that the Astros are sending 30-year old Assistant GM David Stearns to Milwaukee to complete the Carlos Gomez trade and to be the Brewers' GM.
*Evan Drellich writes that Stearns is likely the first of many Astros' PYTs to be lured away by promotions with other teams.
*Mark Appel struck out ten batters in 5.2IP as Fresno won Game 5 and the PCL title from Round Rock. Appel:
I thought today was one of my best outings on the year as far as my stuff and location and consistency of it. It's a great way to end my season and win Game 5. You can't draw it up any better.
Tony Kemp was named Pacific Coast League playoff MVP. Fresno will play International League champ Columbus on Tuesday in a 1-game "series" to determine the Triple-A champion. This time it counts!
*Now that the playoffs are (for the most part) over in the minors, we could be seeing Jon Singleton and probably a pitcher in Houston soon.
*Carlos Gomez swung a fungo bat yesterday.
I feel better when I move. The most difficult thing is to bat. On Saturday I did some very strenuous exercises with the medicine ball throwing it while simulating like I was batting, and I felt very good.
*Funeral arrangements have been announced by Milo's family, and includes a public viewing on Friday, Saturday, and Saturday.
*Scary news out of Atlanta as Mike Foltynewicz is in the hospital with blood clots in his arm.
